Dentro da classe Reptilia, a ordem Testudines possui algumas características exclusivas, tais como a fusão das costelas e da coluna vertebral e a perda dos músculos intercostais, inviabilizando a ventilação costal. Além disso, as posições naturais que os Testudines exibem podem influenciar a mecânica ventilatória. O presente estudo teve como objetivo testar a influência do posicionamento do corpo sobre a mecânica ventilatória através da complacência estática e dinâmica e analisar através da respirometria aberta o padrão ventilatório e o custo metabólico da ventilação através da exposição em normóxia, hipóxia e hipercarbia em Trachemys scripta e Chelonoidis carbonarius. Os volumes pulmonares, complacência estática e dinâmica em C. carbonarius foram inferiores aos de T. scripta e outras espécies de Testudines já estudadas. Verificou-se também influência das posições sobre a mecânica ventilatória nas duas espécies, sendo a posição de membros e cabeça retraídos na carapaça apresentando os menores valores (p<0,05). Hipóxia e hipercarbia estimularam o aumento da ventilação nas duas espécies estudadas (p<0,05), sendo observadas maiores alterações da frequência ventilatória e volume corrente em C. carbonarius. Os valores de custo metabólico da ventilação foram baixos devido à uma diminuição no consumo de oxigênio em hipóxia e hipercarbia, indicando depressão metabólica em ambas as espécies ou então o método para calcular esse custo não ser ideal. Ao relacionar os dados de consumo de oxigênio com os de ventilação, verificou-se a possibilidade de shunt cardíaco esquerdo-direito. Será necessário calcular o trabalho mecânico da ventilação a fim de entender melhor a mecânica ventilatória nas duas espécies e posteriormente relacionar os dados de ventilação e custo metabólico da ventilação com os de trabalho mecânico. / Within the class of Reptilia, the order Testudines possesses some exclusive features such as merged ribs and spine and loss of intercostal muscles, preventing costal ventilation. Furthermore, the natural positions exhibited by Testudines, should influence ventilatory mechanics. The aim of this study was to test the influence of different body positions on ventilatory mechanics by measuring static and dynamic compliance and by using open respirometry to analyze the ventilatory pattern and metabolic cost of ventilation in normoxic, hypoxic and hypercarbic exposures in Trachemys scripta e Chelonoidis carbonarius. C. carbonarius showed the lowest values of lung volumes, static and dynamic compliance when compared to T. scripta as well as to other Testudines´s species. Natural positions significantly influenced ventilatory mechanics in both species, with the lowest values found in animals with legs and head retracted into the shell (p<0.05). Hypoxia and hypercarbia stimulated ventilation in both species, with alterations in frequency and tidal volume being greater in C. carbonarius. Estimated metabolic cost of ventilation was low because of a decrease in oxygen uptake during hypoxia and hypercarbia, indicating metabolic depression in both species or that the method used may not be ideal to calculate the metabolic cost of breathing. Relating oxygen uptake data with ventilation data, it may be possible that left-right cardiac shunting occurred. It will be necessary to calculate the mechanic work of breathing to better understand the ventilatory mechanics in both species and relate ventilation data and metabolic cost of ventilation with mechanical work of breathing.

Dentro da classe Reptilia, a ordem Testudines possui algumas características exclusivas, tais como a fusão das costelas e da coluna vertebral e a perda dos músculos intercostais, inviabilizando a ventilação costal. Além disso, as posições naturais que os Testudines exibem podem influenciar a mecânica ventilatória. O presente estudo teve como objetivo testar a influência do posicionamento do corpo sobre a mecânica ventilatória através da complacência estática e dinâmica e analisar através da respirometria aberta o padrão ventilatório e o custo metabólico da ventilação através da exposição em normóxia, hipóxia e hipercarbia em Trachemys scripta e Chelonoidis carbonarius. Os volumes pulmonares, complacência estática e dinâmica em C. carbonarius foram inferiores aos de T. scripta e outras espécies de Testudines já estudadas. Verificou-se também influência das posições sobre a mecânica ventilatória nas duas espécies, sendo a posição de membros e cabeça retraídos na carapaça apresentando os menores valores (p<0,05). Hipóxia e hipercarbia estimularam o aumento da ventilação nas duas espécies estudadas (p<0,05), sendo observadas maiores alterações da frequência ventilatória e volume corrente em C. carbonarius. Os valores de custo metabólico da ventilação foram baixos devido à uma diminuição no consumo de oxigênio em hipóxia e hipercarbia, indicando depressão metabólica em ambas as espécies ou então o método para calcular esse custo não ser ideal. Ao relacionar os dados de consumo de oxigênio com os de ventilação, verificou-se a possibilidade de shunt cardíaco esquerdo-direito. Será necessário calcular o trabalho mecânico da ventilação a fim de entender melhor a mecânica ventilatória nas duas espécies e posteriormente relacionar os dados de ventilação e custo metabólico da ventilação com os de trabalho mecânico. / Within the class of Reptilia, the order Testudines possesses some exclusive features such as merged ribs and spine and loss of intercostal muscles, preventing costal ventilation. Furthermore, the natural positions exhibited by Testudines, should influence ventilatory mechanics. The aim of this study was to test the influence of different body positions on ventilatory mechanics by measuring static and dynamic compliance and by using open respirometry to analyze the ventilatory pattern and metabolic cost of ventilation in normoxic, hypoxic and hypercarbic exposures in Trachemys scripta e Chelonoidis carbonarius. C. carbonarius showed the lowest values of lung volumes, static and dynamic compliance when compared to T. scripta as well as to other Testudines´s species. Natural positions significantly influenced ventilatory mechanics in both species, with the lowest values found in animals with legs and head retracted into the shell (p<0.05). Hypoxia and hypercarbia stimulated ventilation in both species, with alterations in frequency and tidal volume being greater in C. carbonarius. Estimated metabolic cost of ventilation was low because of a decrease in oxygen uptake during hypoxia and hypercarbia, indicating metabolic depression in both species or that the method used may not be ideal to calculate the metabolic cost of breathing. Relating oxygen uptake data with ventilation data, it may be possible that left-right cardiac shunting occurred. It will be necessary to calculate the mechanic work of breathing to better understand the ventilatory mechanics in both species and relate ventilation data and metabolic cost of ventilation with mechanical work of breathing.

Scuba diving as a recreational activity has increased in popularity over the past few years. It is believed that repeated exposure to the hyperbaric environment may have a long term effect on the auditory system. The research literature has given a lot of attention to acute injury but is very limited relating to the long term implications of scuba diving. Previous research studies did not perform a full audiometric test battery. A comprehensive audiological assessment is critical to determine in which part of the ear a pathology may occur during recreational diving. This study endeavoured to assess and describe the hearing abilities and middle ear functioning of the recreational scuba diver and investigate the possibility that diving, on a recreational level, may have an influence on the auditory system. In order to achieve the aims of this study, a descriptive, correlation research design was selected. The results of the current study indicate that scuba diving on a recreational level does not have a significant effect on the hearing and middle ear functioning of the individual, with the exclusion of static compliance. It appears that the inevitable compression and decompression that the middle ears are exposed to during scuba diving might have a more permanent effect on the elasticity of the tympanic membrane. Finally this study aims to increase the awareness of possible risks concerning the auditory system relating to scuba diving and in so doing, attribute to the prevention, diagnosing and intervention of diving related ear injuries. / Dissertation (M (Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / M (Communication Pathology) / unrestricted

Η µεταµόσχευση πνεύµονα είναι µια αποδεκτή θεραπευτική λύση για τους ασθενείς µε πνευµονική νόσο τελικού σταδίου. Η πρώιµη δυσλειτουργία του µοσχεύµατος παραµένει µία από της κύριες αιτίες πρώιµης θνητότητας και νοσηρότητας. Το σύνδροµο ισχαιµίας – επαναιµάτωσης είναι ο υπεύθυνος κύριος παθογενετικός µηχανισµός. Η ακριβής αιτιοπαθολογία του συνδρόµου ισχαιµίας – επαναιµάτωσης δεν έχει πλήρως ερευνηθεί. Η πειραµατικές µεταµοσχεύσεις ως τώρα δεν µπόρεσαν να αποµονώσουν την κλινική εικόνα της βλάβης ισχαιµίας – επαναιµάτωσης, όπως είναι η υποξία, η σοβαρή βλάβη της ενδοθηλιακής διαπερατότητας και το γενικευµένο κυψελιδικό οίδηµα. Η ερευνητική µας οµάδα όπως και πολλές άλλες διεθνώς, χρησιµοποίησε ως τώρα το µοντέλο µεταµόσχευσης ενός πνεύµονα από το ένα ζώο σε άλλο. Ο πρώτος στόχος µας ήταν να δηµιουργήσουµε ένα σταθερό και επαναλήψιµο πειραµατικό πρωτόκολλο που θα µπορούσε να αναπαράγει τις τοπικές και συστηµατικές εκδηλώσεις του συνδρόµου ισχαιµίας- επαναιµάτωσης χωρίς όµως τη συµµετοχή της παθολογίας της απόρριψης, διατηρώντας παράλληλα τους λιγότερους χειρουργικούς χειρισµούς στο µόσχευµα. Είναι γνωστό ότι κατά τις πνευµονικές µεταµοσχεύσεις σε πειραµατικά µοντέλα εµφανίζονται αλλαγές στη σύνθεση και λειτουργικότητα του επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα και επιπλέον εξαγγείωση πρωτεϊνών του πλάσµατος στην κυψελίδα µε αποτέλεσµα την επιπρόσθετη επιβάρυνση της λειτουργίας του επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα. Οι αλλαγές στον επιφανειοδραστικό παράγοντα κατά τις πνευµονικές µεταµοσχεύσεις έχει προταθεί ότι συµµετέχουν σηµαντικά στην παθοφυσιολογία των βλαβών που σχετίζονται µε τη µεταµόσχευση. Έτσι µπορούµε να υποθέσουµε ότι διαδικασίες που θα µπορούσαν να σταθεροποιήσουν το σύστηµα του επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα θα οδηγούσαν πιθανότερα σε βελτίωση της λειτουργίας του µοσχεύµατος. Έχει αποδειχτεί ότι ο εξωγενώς χορηγούµενος επιφανειοδραστικός παράγοντας µιµείται τις επιφανειοδραστικές ιδιότητες του ενδογενούς. Ο δεύτερος στόχος της µελέτης µας ήταν να εξετάσουµε αν η εξωγενής χορήγηση επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα θα βελτίωνε τις ιδιότητες 103 του µοσχεύµατος αλλά και ποια επίδραση θα είχε η µη χορήγηση ενός ανοσοδιεγερτικού παράγοντα του επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα όπως είναι το SP-A επί του συνδρόµου ισχαιµίας επαναιµάτωσης. Χρησιµοποιήσαµε 14 νεαρούς χοίρους µέσου βάρους 27(±3,5) Kg εφαρµόζοντας ένα µοντέλο αυτοµεταµόσχευσης πνεύµονα in situ. Ο πνεύµονας παρασκευάστηκε και εκπλύθηκε µέσω της πνευµονικής αρτηρίας ορθόδροµα χρησιµοποιώντας διάλυµα U Wisconsin. Οι πνευµονικές φλέβες αποκλείστηκαν µετά τη συµβολή τους επί του αριστερού κόλπου και το υγρό συντήρησης παροχετεύτηκε από αντιστόµειο στον αριστερό κόλπο. Το µόσχευµα παρέµεινε σε θερµοκρασία 4-8 0C για διάστηµα 3 ωρών, διατηρώντας την κεντρική θερµοκρασία ανάµεσα 37 και 38.50 C. Ακολούθησε επαναιµάτωση του µοσχεύµατος. Στην οµάδα ελέγχου (Β) χορηγήθηκε ελεύθερος SP-A επιφανειοδραστικός παράγοντας 1.5 ml/Kg µέσω βρογχοσκοπίου, πριν τη θωρακοτοµή. Τα πειραµατόζωα θυσιάστηκαν 3 ώρες µετά την επαναιµάτωση. Μετά από 3 ώρες από την επαναιµάτωση, (οµάδα Α vs. Β) η PVRI ήταν 447.80 dyne.sec-1cm-5m-2 (±66.8) vs. 249.51(p<.001) ενώ το NO(*p<0.05,**p<0.001), η EPO και η πνευµονική ευενδοτότητα (**p<0.002) διατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σηµαντικά. Η µέση κυψελιδική επιφάνεια ήταν 5280.84 (4991.1) µm2 vs. 3997,89 (3284.70) µm2(p<0.005). Η ιστολογική µελέτη έδειξε µικρότερη διήθηση µικροφάγων και λεµφοκυττάρων στην οµάδα χορήγησης επιφανειοδραστικού παράγοντα στο τέλος της επαναιµάτωσης. Συµπεράσµατα Το νέο αυτό µοντέλο ετερόπλευρης µεταµόσχευσης πνεύµονα αποδείχθηκε αξιόπιστο και αναπαρήγαγε όλη την παθολογία του συνδρόµου ισχαιµίας επαναιµάτωσης, χωρίς την επίδραση των µηχανισµών απόρριψης. Επιπλέον αποδείχτηκε ότι η προθεραπεία του µοσχεύµατος µε εξωγενή επιφανειοδραστικό παράγοντα µειώνει τη βλάβη ισχαιµίας-επαναιµάτωσης διατηρώντας όχι µόνο την πνευµονική ευενδοτότητα αλλά και το δείκτη πνευµονικών αντιστάσεων. Επιπλέον οι συγκεντρώσεις του NO και η 104 105 δραστηριότητα του EPO διατηρήθηκαν καλύτερα, ενώ και η µορφολογία της κυψελίδας φαίνεται να διατηρείται σηµαντικά καλύτερα. / Lung transplantation is a well accepted treatment for patients with end stage pulmonary disease. Early graft dysfunction remains one of the major causes of early morbidity and mortality, with reperfusion injury (RI) being the most responsible mechanism. The exact pathophysiology of RI in lung transplantation has not been fully evaluated and understood. Experimental transplantation after cold storage has been so far unable to duplicate the complete clinical picture of RI, such as, hypoxia, severe impairment of endothelial permeability, and frank alveolar oedema. We, among others, in our previous experimental work with pigs, had being using a single lung transplantation model. Our first aim has been to create a steady and reproducible experimental protocol that could demonstrate several parameters associated with the mechanisms of reperfusion injury, including impaired gas exchange, elevated pulmonary vascular resistant, local and systemic aspects of the reperfusion syndrome, but without the interference of the pathology concerning acute graft rejection, and with the minimal possible surgical manipulation of the graft. Animal studies have shown that lung transplantation is followed by changes to both synthesis and activity of surfactant. Surfactant alterations have been suggested to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of transplantation-associated lung injuries. Therefore, procedures that stabilize the pulmonary surfactant system may prove to be crucial for optimal lung preservation. It has been demonstrated that exogenous surfactant mimics the surface-tension-lowering properties of natural lung surfactant. The second purpose of our study was to evaluate whether differences exist in lung preservation after pre-treatment (prior to graft retrieval) of donor lung with surfactant. We postulated that surfactant would lead to an enhanced preservation of the organ. Therefore, we used Surfactant, Beractant which is a natural bovine lung extract containing phospholipids, neutral lipids, fatty acids, and surfactantassociated proteins SP-B and SP-C to which colfosceril palmitate, palmitic acid, and tripalmiting are added in order to standardise the suspension. It should be noted that it does not contain SP-A. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of surfactant pretreatment to lung haemodynamics, respiratory parameters, serum and BALF nitric oxide and EPO levels and the microscopic morphology of the alveolar. Methods: Fourteen young female white pigs, mean weight 27(±3.5) Kg were used in a newly developed autotransplantation model with in-situ cold ischemia. The hilum was dissected free and the pericardium opened. University of Wisconsin solution was used for lung preservation flushed in an antegrade fashion through the left pulmonary artery. Pulmonary veins were clamped proximal to their origin at the left atrium and vent was created just distally to the clamp. The left main bronchus was clamped with the lung left semi-inflated. Interlobar fissure tissue temperature was monitored and maintained at 4-8 0C, while core temperature was kept between 37 and 38.50 C. After 3 hours of cold ischaemia clamps were removed and the lung was reperfused. In the study group (B, n=6) free-SP-A surfactant 1.5 ml/Kg, was administrated into the left main bronchus via flexible bronchoscopy, prior to thoracotomy. Animals were sacrificed after 3 hours of graft reperfusion. Results: At the end of reperfusion, (Control vs. study group) PVRI was 447.80 dyn.sec-1cm-5m-2 (±66.8) vs. 249.51(p<.001) and lung compliance was 14.83 ml/cm H2O (SD 1.78) vs. 18.91 (SD 0.73) (**p<0.002) were adequately preserved. Serum eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity persentence change was 18.6 +/- 5.6 vs. 116+/-52 p=0.001. In contrast, EPO activity in BALF was 180 +/- 21 vs 73+/-8, p=0.01. Finally, NO concentration in BALF was 0.75 μM =+/- 0. 06 vs. 0.91 +/- 0.15 p< 0,05 and serum NO were adequately preserved (*p<0.05,**p<0.001). The mean alveoli surface area estimated by computerized morphometry were 5280.84 (4991.1) μm2 vs. 3997,89 (3284.70) μm2(p<0.005). Histology revealed less macrophage and lymphocyte accumulation in the study group at the end of reperfusion. Conclusions: This new model of unilateral lung auto transplantation with a cold storage of the graft, proved to be very reliable in reproducing all aspects of ischemia/reperfusion injury, and we, therefore, propose its use in experimental studies dealing with this yet to be fully clarified clinical entity. Moreover it has demonstrated that pre-treatment of the donor lung with a surfactant agent reduced the ischemia and reperfusion injury by means of maintaining lung compliance and resulting in less respiratory and haemodynamic disturbances. Also, alveoli surface area, alveoli morphology, EPO and NO concentration were better preserved. These data supports the hypothesis that donor lung pretreatment with surfuctant has a beneficial effect on graft properties. Further studies are required before discussing potential benefits in clinical practice.

Seafloor compliance is a non-intrusive geophysical method sensitive to the shear modulus of the sediments below the seafloor. A compliance analysis requires the computation of the frequency dependent transfer function between the vertical stress, produced at the seafloor by the ultra low frequency passive source-infra-gravity waves, and the resulting displacement, related to velocity through the frequency. The displacement of the ocean floor is dependent on the elastic structure of the sediments and the compliance function is tuned to different depths, i.e., a change in the elastic parameters at a given depth is sensed by the compliance function at a particular frequency. In a gas hydrate system, the magnitude of the stiffness is a measure of the quantity of gas hydrates present. Gas hydrates contain immense stores of greenhouse gases making them relevant to climate change science, and represent an important potential alternative source of energy. Bullseye Vent is a gas hydrate system located in an area that has been intensively studied for over 2 decades and research results suggest that this system is evolving over time. A partnership with NEPTUNE Canada allowed for the investigation of this possible evolution. This thesis describes a compliance experiment configured for NEPTUNE Canada’s seafloor observatory and its failure. It also describes the use of 203 days of simultaneously logged pressure and velocity time-series data, measured by a Scripps differential pressure gauge, and a Güralp CMG-1T broadband seismometer on NEPTUNE Canada’s seismic station, respectively, to evaluate variations in sediment stiffness near Bullseye. The evaluation resulted in a (- 4.49 x10-3± 3.52 x 10-3) % change of the transfer function of 3rd October, 2010 and represents a 2.88% decrease in the stiffness of the sediments over the period. This thesis also outlines a new algorithm for calculating the static compliance of isotropic layered sediments.

Seafloor compliance is a non-intrusive geophysical method sensitive to the shear modulus of the sediments below the seafloor. A compliance analysis requires the computation of the frequency dependent transfer function between the vertical stress, produced at the seafloor by the ultra low frequency passive source-infra-gravity waves, and the resulting displacement, related to velocity through the frequency. The displacement of the ocean floor is dependent on the elastic structure of the sediments and the compliance function is tuned to different depths, i.e., a change in the elastic parameters at a given depth is sensed by the compliance function at a particular frequency. In a gas hydrate system, the magnitude of the stiffness is a measure of the quantity of gas hydrates present. Gas hydrates contain immense stores of greenhouse gases making them relevant to climate change science, and represent an important potential alternative source of energy. Bullseye Vent is a gas hydrate system located in an area that has been intensively studied for over 2 decades and research results suggest that this system is evolving over time. A partnership with NEPTUNE Canada allowed for the investigation of this possible evolution. This thesis describes a compliance experiment configured for NEPTUNE Canada’s seafloor observatory and its failure. It also describes the use of 203 days of simultaneously logged pressure and velocity time-series data, measured by a Scripps differential pressure gauge, and a Güralp CMG-1T broadband seismometer on NEPTUNE Canada’s seismic station, respectively, to evaluate variations in sediment stiffness near Bullseye. The evaluation resulted in a (- 4.49 x10-3± 3.52 x 10-3) % change of the transfer function of 3rd October, 2010 and represents a 2.88% decrease in the stiffness of the sediments over the period. This thesis also outlines a new algorithm for calculating the static compliance of isotropic layered sediments.